Juvenile Probation Officer Assistant (Intake; Pm Unit)

The Travis County Juvenile Probation Department's mission is to provide for public safety while effectively addressing the needs of juveniles, families and victims of crime in our community.

We are committed to ASPIRE – Advocacy, Service, Partnership, Integrity, Respect and Empowerment!

Our Court Services Division is responsible for working with juveniles that are entering the system or being diverted from formal court proceedings. Juvenile Probation Officer Assistants aide the division by providing supervision and counseling to juvenile clients positioned at various stages within the juvenile justice system; assist in supervising and monitoring all aspects of the client’s case related to conditions of probation, including visits with client’s family and other contacts; assists in conducting initial and subsequent interviews with clients to assist in sentencing; explains conditions of probation and assists in meeting terms of probation; documents client behavior for use within the juvenile justice system. The ideal candidate for our Juvenile Probation Officer Assistant position is an insightful problem-solver with knowledge of practices and procedures related to the court system and a commitment to teamwork that will allow the organization to meet critical operational needs.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This is the first in a series of five juvenile probation-related job classifications within the Court Services job family. This classification assists in providing supervision to clients who are within various phases of the juvenile justice system. This classification performs duties of the most routine nature and type and typically performs duties in training together with a higher-level staff member. This classification may require work in secure facilities. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

• Assists clients with various referrals, including, but not limited to, counseling, treatment and job referrals. Verifies attendance and completion of alcohol, drug, mental health counseling and any other court ordered programs.
• Assures client's understanding of obligations with respect to conditions of the court's order and monitors compliance with the terms and conditions of probation. Addresses violations of court orders by taking appropriate action. Assists in coordinating case management with representatives of criminal justice and social service agencies.
• Maintains client files and records consistent with laws and policies.
• Assists in conducting investigations on the background of each case, which includes interviewing clients, their families and other significant contacts. Reviews documentation, such as police reports, court transcripts and criminal records and makes assessments regarding the nature of the individual's environmental, employment, financial or domestic difficulties as they apply to the case. Assists in making recommendations for sentencing and disposition of probationer and preparing probation plans.
• Transports clients to other facilities, as required.
• May conduct urinalysis, request and execute warrants, obtain consents and other required paperwork.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
• May assist in developing client placement plans, including completing placement applications, purchasing clothing, obtaining medical and psychological reports and maintaining contact with clients in placement.
• May assist in providing individual and crisis intervention counseling, as required.
• Assists in supervising and monitoring juveniles on probation through regular home, school and office visits and other needed contacts. Determines the needs of the client and family and assists in developing supervision plans for clients.
• Assists in preparing written assessments and recommendations to the court concerning alternative forms of sentencing, treatment, custody release, suspension of sentence, release into treatment facilities, out-of-custody probation supervision, and compliance and progress during probation.

Education and Experience:
Associate's degree in Criminal Justice, Social or Behavioral Sciences or a directly related field AND one (1) year experience in social services, criminal justice or related field;
OR,
Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Certification as a Juvenile Supervision Officer or eligible for certification within six (6) months of date of hire, including successful completion of Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification, First Aid and Handle with Care (state approved physical restraint technique).
Valid Texas Driver's License.
Preferred:
Bilingual in English and Spanish
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of:

• Psychological concepts of good behavior, social adjustment and emotional stability.
• Standard practices in area of assignment.
• Physical restraint techniques to control aggressive behavior.
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.
• Racial and ethnic disparities in juvenile justice.
• Standard counseling techniques.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations, guidelines and applicable juvenile justice system standards and procedures.
• Safety and security techniques and standards.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
• Policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to court system.

• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Both verbal and written communication.
• Monitoring and responding to client behavior.
• Interviewing clients.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, representatives of the juvenile justice system and the general public.
• Deal effectively with mentally disturbed, hostile and aggressive individuals.
• Perform in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.
• Work efficiently both independently and as part of a team.
• Gather, analyze and evaluate facts to conduct investigations and report results clearly, accurately and impartially.
• Reason and make judgments and decisions.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.
• Work effectively and courteously under stressful circumstances.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 50-100 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and basic office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, and squatting to perform the essential functions. Subject to contact with communicable diseases, radiation, hazardous waste, human fecal matter and foul odors. Subject to client and customer contact for extended periods of time.
Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.
This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.
Work Hours: 8 AM - 5 PM; Monday through Friday.
Location: 2515 S. Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78744.
Department: Juvenile Probation
Criminal Background Check, Commercial's Driver's License, Physical Exam, Drug Test, Driving Record, Psychological Test, Education, and Employment history check required.